Goalie Riley Gill, right, led the Reading Royals to their first Kelly Cup championship last season and was named ECHL playoff MVP after posting a 13-4 record and four shutouts in the postseason.
(Brad Drey / Purdon House of Photography)

“It would have been a tragedy if the team was allowed to move or was going to move out of the city of Reading,” Gulati said. “I felt Reading just cannot afford to lose a jewel like that and still revive itself, especially when we're in the midst of a revival in the city.”

A deal for Gulati to purchase all shares of the franchise from the Berks County Convention Center Authority and SMG, which operates Reading's Santander Arena, was announced on Feb. 15.

Gulati said he expects formal ECHL approval of the purchase to come by the end of March or the middle of April.

“Now this an opportunity for me to learn again about hockey,” Gulati said.

“It's a matter of having good management and a willingness to learn. I can assure you that in a matter of a short time I will know what I need to know about hockey, but particularly what is the desire of the fans in the stands.”

Gulati said he has set up informational meetings with other ECHL owners and ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. He plans to announce in the next month what he calls a five-star program for providing quality entertainment for Royals fans.

In addition to preserving the franchise, Gulati also wants to preserve the team's affiliation with the Hershey Bears and Washington Capitals.

“Boy, that's a great combo,” Gulati said. “The Hershey Bears and the Washington Caps, we have a good relationship with them and, obviously, we're going to keep that and we're going to have even greater cooperation as time goes on.”

The Royals currently are in first place in the ECHL's Atlantic Division. Dustin Gazley, Stan Galiev, Patrick Wey, Josh Brittain, Brett Flemming, Tyler Ruegsegger, T.J. Syner and Riley Gill have all played for Reading and Hershey this season.

Washington reassigned defenseman Julien Brouillette to Hershey on Friday. Bears broadcaster Scott Stuccio reported that it is unclear whether Brouillette will be able to rejoin the team in time for Friday night's game at Hartford.